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VIZIO XVT3D650SV Review
65" Edge-lit LED 3D HDTV, $3699
 
Dick De Jong Not too many moons ago, the cost of a 65" TV was in the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" category. With the advent of models like VIZIO's XVT3D650SV, the price of owning a 65" TV is at least ten times less than a few short years ago. And this VIZIO is not some version that was pared down to meet a price point. Currently, the XVT3D650SV is VIZIO's top of the line, featuring an edge-lit LED LCD display with a wide array of Internet Apps. In addition, this HDTV is 3D capable. Though what sets it apart from almost every other 3D TV on the market at this time is that the circular polarization 3D system that VIZIO employs does not require the expensive active shutter 3D glasses because the Polarizer Filter is built into the TV. Labeled VIZIO Theater 3D, this passive 3D format gives a similar experience to the one in movie multiplexes. In fact, you can use the 3D glasses that they give you in the theaters to watch 3D on this TV. I will discuss 3D in more detail in the Performance section. For now, let me say that the XVT3D650SV delivers some of the most pronounced 3D effects that I have seen from a 3D TV. Add to that an expansive 65" screen with superior 2D picture quality, and the XVT3D650SV becomes a great choice for your home theater or your personal March Madness arena. (Editor's Note: The XVT3D650SV is the first TV made by VIZIO that uses the passive 3D system. As such, there are no other VIZIO models to which this review can apply. The company does offer a 55" 3D TV, but it requires the active shutter glasses.)Our Star Ratings
Performance: 4.5  I'm not a big fan of edge-lit LED technology, but the XVT3D650SV obtains deeper blacks with its 32 zone Smart Dimming feature. And the passive 3D system really does produce some remarkable 3D depth effects. Audio quality is also quite good.
Since the screen is more reflective than many TVs, you will be more impressed with the picture quality if you can control all the ambient light in the room. Features: 4.5 With a WiFi connection built-in and a host of Internet content partners, this 3D HDTV supplies almost all of the features that you would expect. Though I find it curious that you cannot plug in a USB drive or access files on your home network. (Supposedly that is coming with a software upgrade.)
Ease of Use: 4.0  You have to realize that to setup and use all the features on the XVT3D650SV is not a mundane chore. Just working your way through the Yahoo widgets can take a chunk of time and gumption. But the basic TV setup process is straightforward and VIZIO does a good job of guiding you through it.
Value: 4.5 I know that I am being miserly with this rating, but the $3700 retail price does make me pause. The simple fact is that in this marketplace, you will find very few 65" HDTVs for less than $4000. And the choice narrows much more if you want a 3D capable TV.
Push this rating to 5.0 if you are a 3D fan with a big family or a lot of friends. VIZIO provides four sets of passive 3D glasses. If you need more, they are reasonably priced - or keep the ones that you get in the movie theater. (Active shutter 3D glasses, the type necessary for almost any other 3D TV, can easily cost over $100 a piece.) Star Ratings Description Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We have given only a precious few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.
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